The origins of the name Salleghan are with the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. The name is derived from the baptismal name Soloman, which was an ancient personal name. Baptismal names began to appear as surnames relatively late in the growth of the naming tradition. This is a little surprising, given the popularity of biblical figures in the Christian countries of Europe. Nevertheless, surnames derived from baptismal names grew in popularity during the Middle Ages, and have become one of the foremost sources for surnames. The surname Salleghan also has origins as a nickname for a man who was considered to be wise or fortunate.

Salleghan Early Origins

The surname Salleghan was first found in Surrey where they were Lords of the manor of Caterham from ancient times. Alternatively, the name could have been derived from Selham, a small village in the Chichester district of West Sussex. The village dates back to the Domesday Book where it was listed as Seleham and literally meant "homestead by a copse of sallow-trees." [1]CITATION[CLOSE]Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)

Salleghan Spelling Variations

Salleghan Spelling Variations

The first dictionaries that appeared in the last few hundred years did much to standardize the English language. Before that time, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. The language was changing, incorporating pieces of other languages, and the spelling of names changed with it. Salleghan has been spelled many different ways, including Saleman, Salman, Selman, Selyman, Seleman and others.

Salleghan Early History

Salleghan Early History

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Salleghan research. Another 239 words (17 lines of text) covering the years 1240, 1303, 1371, 1468, 1800, 1426, 1390, 1411, 1414, 1435, 1414 and 1435 are included under the topic Early Salleghan History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Salleghan Early Notables (pre 1700)

Salleghan Early Notables (pre 1700)

Another 33 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Salleghan Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

The Great Migration

The Great Migration

Thousands of English families in this era began to emigrate the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. Although the passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe, those who made the voyage safely were rewarded with opportunities unavailable to them in their homeland. Research into passenger and immigration lists has revealed some of the very first Salleghans to arrive in North America: George Selman who settled in Barbados in 1634; Michael Selman arrived in Philadelphia in 1741; another Michael Selman arrived in Philadelphia in 1844.

Other References

Bede, The Venerable. Historia Ecclesiatica Gentis Anglorum (The Ecclesiastical History Of the English People). Available through Internet Medieval Sourcebook the Fordham University Centre for Medieval Studies. Print.

The Salleghan Family Crest was acquired from the Houseofnames.com archives. The Salleghan Family Crest was drawn according to heraldic standards based on published blazons. We generally include the oldest published family crest once associated with each surname.